Each week, I will be finding one player not expected to be in the top-5 at these fantasy positions: QB, RB, WR, TE, D/ST, that will put up top-5 numbers. I’ll also list one player at each position that is ranked in the
top-5, but will put up numbers outside of the weekly top-5. I use www.fantasypros.com’s consensus weekly rankings. These rankings are a very valuable tool, and I highly recommend using them.
Without further ado, (or any ado for that matter, here are Week 7’s HIGH-FIVES and HEAD SLAPS:
HIGH FIVES:
Quarterback–Jay Cutler (Bears vs. Lions, MNF). Cutler should have one of his best statistical nights of the season against this Lions secondary. The Lions defense started out bad, and injuries have made it worse. Look for Cutler (who is a great bye-week replacement this week) to light up the Lions, to a tune of 325 yards, 3+ TDs.
Running Back–C.J. Spiller (Bills vs Titans). Even though Spiller will share carries with Fred Jackson, the matchup of Spiller vs the front-7 of the Titans leads me to believe C.J. can break off some long runs. I see a 100+ yard game from Spiller with 2 TDs.
Wide Receiver–Kenny Britt (Titans at Bills). It’s going to happen. I thought last week would be Britt’s 2012 coming out party, but maybe I was a week early. I see the Bills winning this game handily, and Britt getting 10+ targets, topping 100 yards, and scoring at least one TD.
Tight End–Jermaine Gresham (Bengals vs Steelers, Sunday night). The Steelers defense is bad. The Bengals defense isn’t good. This game has all the feel of a shoot-out, and Gresham is poised to sneak into the top-5 with a solid game. Gresham is tied with Owen Daniels for 6th in targets of tight ends playing this week (Graham out, T. Gonzalez, Celek, and Tamme on byes).
Defense/Special Teams–Giants (vs. Redskins).
Although they have played better on the road than at home this year, I see a solid effort from the Giants in a division game at Met Life Stadium. With the poor aftertaste of the Week 1 loss to the Cowboys, look for the Giants to ratchet it up a notch against RGIII and his weak support staff.
HEAD SLAPS:
Quarterback–Robert Griffin III (Redskins at Giants)–See above. I don’t like what RGIII has around him, talent-wise. I see the Giants winning the game on both sides of the ball.
Running Back–Maurice Jones-Drew (Jaguars at Raiders)–This was the toughest pick, because the “top-5” consisted of Arian Foster, Ray Rice, Darren McFadden, MJD, and Adrian Peterson. Of the 5, I’m picking Jones-Drew to be the one dropping out of the top-5, with C.J. Spiller supplanting him.
Wide Receiver–Calvin Johnson (Lions at Bears, MNF). Teams have figured out how to beat the Lions. The Lions have ZERO run game, and double-teaming Johnson is the easiest way to beat the Lions offense, because they have to pass, and the o-line doesn’t pass protect for long. Johnson will get some catches, and MAYBE a TD, but his overall numbers drop him out of the top-5.
Tight End–Aaron Hernandez (Patriots vs Jets). Hernandez is listed as the #4 tight end in www.fantasypros.com’s consensus weekly rankings. Although he is now one week removed from missing multiple games, the explosiveness is not there yet. Look for Hernandez to have a mediocre game. His time is coming, but it’s not this week.
Defense/Special Teams–Vikings (vs. Cardinals). Another tough call with the Bears, 49ers (Thursday night), Packers, and Patriots the other teams in the top-5. I’m not predicting the Vikings to get gashed by the Cardinals as much as I feel the Giants
will end up with more standard fantasy points than the Vikings. If for some reason you have the Vikings AND Giants on your fantasy roster–start the Giants.
-Ryan Dickey (@ffbninja)
